NIMASA Opens Blue Economy Accelerator Portal October 5, Targets Young Innovators

By Stella Okocha 

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) will on Monday, October 5, 2026, open applications for its Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP).

It is an initiative aimed at empowering young Nigerians with innovative ideas capable of transforming the country’s maritime and blue economy sectors.

The agency is inviting Nigerian innovators aged 18 to 28 to submit technology-driven and practical solutions that can unlock economic opportunities, create jobs and drive sustainable growth within the maritime industry.

The programme features a National Innovation Hackathon and a 12-week accelerator programme designed to identify promising ideas, support young innovators and help transform viable concepts into scalable enterprises.

According to the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, the initiative is part of the agency’s efforts to position young Nigerians at the forefront of the country’s blue economy development through innovation, entrepreneurship and technology.

Mobereola said Nigeria’s maritime sector has significant potential to contribute to economic growth, job creation and national development, but noted that unlocking this potential would require innovative thinking and greater youth participation.

“The future of Nigeria’s blue economy will be built on ideas, innovation, enterprise and collaboration. Through NIMASA-BEAP, we are creating a platform for young Nigerians to develop practical solutions, transform innovative ideas into viable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to the growth of our maritime sector,” he said.

The application window will run from October 5 to November 13, 2026. Applications will subsequently undergo evaluation and due diligence between November 16 and December 2.

Successful applicants will advance to the National Innovation Hackathon, scheduled for December 8 to 10, where their ideas will be further developed and assessed as part of the selection process.

Those selected for the accelerator phase will participate in a 12-week programme in the first quarter of 2027. The programme will culminate in a National Demo Day in the second quarter of 2027, providing participants with an opportunity to showcase their solutions, demonstrate progress and explore potential partnerships and enterprise development opportunities.

NIMASA urged eligible young Nigerians with innovative solutions relevant to the maritime and blue economy sectors to take advantage of the initiative and submit their applications when the portal opens.

The agency said the programme underscores its commitment to promoting innovation, developing the next generation of maritime entrepreneurs and supporting solutions capable of strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global blue economy.